No Elitism (1 Corinthians 1:10-17)

 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ." Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void (1 Corinthians 1:10-17 NAS95).

There is a kind of elitism that can form in a church. This can happen when popular individuals gain a following. It could be that this is innocent, as some people are especially gregarious. The problem arises when these influential figures use their clout to sway others toward opposing viewpoints. 

In the church at Corinth, people were lining up behind Paul, Apollos, and Cephas, presumably for the number of people they had baptized. This shifted the focus from Christ and His Gospel, where it rightfully belongs, to man instead. Apparently, it had reached a stage where people were fighting with each other. 

Therefore, Paul exhorts them to agree and not be divided. This doesn’t mean that we all have to think exactly alike or agree on every doctrine. What it does mean is that we should all agree on the fundamentals of the faith and focus our attention on Christ and His Gospel.

Therefore, don’t be quick to take sides. When you hear divisive talk, gently remind people of the big picture. Remember Paul’s focus: Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice (Philippians 1:15-18 NAS95).